NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Taif

An Arabic topographic name referring to a city in western Saudi Arabia.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 7 girls.

Taif is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Taif popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4107, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 5 births.

This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2021 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Taif. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Taif ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2021, when 5 boys were registered as Taif.
  • Taif is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Taif as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 56.3% of Taif registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4107

2023

Births in 2023

4

Latest year

Peak year

2021

5 births

Estimated living

9

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Taif

In England and Wales birth records, Taif has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 56.3% of registrations are for boys and 43.8% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

56% boys
44% girls
Boys9 (56.3%)Girls7 (43.8%)

Taif registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,107 in 2023
  • 4 boys registered in 2023
  • Peak: 2021 (5 births)

Taif registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,581 in 2021
  • 3 girls registered in 2021
  • Peak: 2008 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Taif mean?

The name Taif is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with its roots traced back to the Arabian Peninsula during ancient times. It is derived from the Arabic word "tayyib," which means "pleasant" or "fragrant." This linguistic connection suggests that the name Taif may have initially been associated with pleasant or fragrant qualities.

Taif is also the name of a city located in the western region of Saudi Arabia, nestled in the Sarawat Mountains. This city has a rich history dating back to pre-Islamic times and was known for its fertile lands, lush gardens, and pleasant climate. It is possible that the name Taif was inspired by the beautiful and fragrant surroundings of this ancient city.

In Islamic history, the name Taif appears in the context of the Prophet Muhammad's life. According to historical accounts, the Prophet and his companions sought refuge in the city of Taif after facing persecution in Mecca. However, they were not welcomed by the people of Taif, who mistreated them and drove them out of the city. Despite this rejection, the Prophet's visit to Taif became a significant event in Islamic history.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Taif was Taif Al-Darir, a renowned Arabian poet and philosopher who lived during the 7th century CE. He was known for his insightful poetry and philosophical writings, which explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.

Another notable figure with the name Taif was Taif Al-Jazari, a brilliant engineer and inventor who lived in the 12th century CE. He is best known for his contributions to the field of mechanical engineering, particularly his groundbreaking work on automata and water clocks. His inventions and writings had a lasting impact on the development of engineering and technology in the Islamic world.

In more recent history, Taif Al-Sham was a prominent Syrian poet and writer who lived in the 20th century (1917-1986). He was celebrated for his powerful poetry, which often explored themes of resistance, freedom, and national identity. His works played a significant role in shaping the literary landscape of modern Arabic literature.

Taif Al-Hakim was an Egyptian playwright and novelist who lived from 1898 to 1987. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Arabic literature and is best known for his plays, which tackled social and political issues in a thought-provoking manner. His works have been widely studied and performed throughout the Arab world.

Finally, Taif Al-Khudair was a Saudi Arabian artist and calligrapher who lived from 1919 to 2002. He was renowned for his exquisite calligraphic works and his contributions to preserving and promoting the art of Arabic calligraphy. His pieces are displayed in numerous galleries and museums around the world, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Arabic script.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Taif over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Taif in England and Wales, from 2008 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Taif, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02468200820152023

Decades

Taif by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Taif was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3779 9 2

Related

Names similar to Taif

FAQ

Taif: questions and answers

How popular is the name Taif in the UK right now?

In 2023, Taif was ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Taif most popular?

The peak year on record was 2021, with 5 babies registered as Taif in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Taif?

An Arabic topographic name referring to a city in western Saudi Arabia.

How many people are called Taif in the UK?

A total of 9 babies have been registered as Taif across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.